Spring is finally here, and Cincinnati’s just getting warmed up.
Topping our list is the Cincinnati Polar Plunge (no matter what the weather brings). Don your silliest costume and make a splash at this event. If you’re wanting a good show, see Gary Owen’s standup routine or Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s “Othello.”
For the horror buffs out there, make a stop at HorrorHound Weekend to meet your favorite scream queens and kings. And finally, run past the fastest animals in the world (as they remain safely in their habitats) at Cincinnati Zoo’s Cheetah Run 5K.
Find the best places to be this weekend with our list of the top 10 things to do.
Have an event you’d like us to know about? Submit it online at cincinnati.com/events, and we’ll tell the world about it. Head to that same site to peruse our full calendar of events.
1. Cincinnati Polar Plunge 2026
Feelin’ bold? Dive into icy water to support the athletes of Special Olympics Ohio and Kentucky. Plunge solo or rally your crew. Wear your wackiest getup for the costume contest.
Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, The Banks, 150 E Freedom Way, Downtown. Register: support.sooh.org.
2. Gary Owen
Standup comedian Gary Owen is bringing his “No Hard Feelings Tour” to his hometown of Cincinnati.
Details: 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. tafttheatre.org.
3. HorrorHound Weekend
HorrorHound Weekend has been celebrating the horror genre and its impact in movies, television, music and pop culture for over 20 years. Get an autograph and photo-op with a celebrity, including “Scream” actors Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich and David Arquette. Q&As, vendors selling collectibles. Also HorrorHouse Film Fest and Ink Fusion Tattoo Festival.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. Tickets: horrorhoundweekend.com.
4. Cheetah Run 5K
Race through the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden and the surrounding Avondale neighborhood. Get an up-close view of the lush gardens and animal habitats.
Details: 8 a.m. Sunday, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. cincinnatizoo.org.
5. FC Cincinnati vs. Montreal
It’s FC Cincinnati versus Montreal this week. At the pre-match, there will be a live DJ, delicious eats from local food trucks, inflatable soccer games, the inflatable FCC slide and more.
Pre-match: 9:30 a.m.-noon Sunday, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. washingtonpark.org.
Game: 1 p.m. Sunday, TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. tqlstadium.com.
6. ‘Othello’
Make it out to see a performance of this Shakespearean tragedy. When General Othello falls to Iago’s deception, his suspicion destroys the bonds of love and loyalty.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, The Otto M. Budig Theater, 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs March 6-29. cincyshakes.com.
7. Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven at Music Hall
The program includes Haydn’s “Symphony No. 103,” Mozart’s “Violin Concerto No. 3” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 2.”
Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. cincinnatisymphony.org.
8. ‘Candlelight: Hip-Hop on Strings’
In this live, multi-sensory musical experience, a string quartet will play hip-hop hits new and old such as Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise,” Drake’s “Passionfruit,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Swimming Pools,” Cardi B’s “I Like It” and more under the soft glow of candlelight.
Candlelight: Hip-Hop on Strings: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. feverup.com.
9. ‘Fourteen Funerals’
Perfect for fans of dark comedy, this performance follows Sienna, who receives a call about the deaths of distant relatives that she’s never met.
Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. ensemblecincinnati.org.
10. ‘The Screwtape Letters’
This C.S. Lewis book-to-stage adaptation follows Screwtape, a senior tempter in Hell. When he schemes to capture the soul of an unsuspecting human on earth, humorous, spiritual warfare ensues.
Details: 4 p.m. Saturday, Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. cincinnatiarts.org.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 things to do this weekend. Horror, laughs and a cold plunge
Reporting by Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
